Two heads of the Circular Motion mascot (Muti) face to face intersecting. Next to it, written "Circular Movement"

logo-landscape-2-en.svg

Media

Flix Media

Porvir Media

*By Julliana de Melo, special for Circular Movement*

Against the grain of the fast fashion model and the accelerated disposal of clothes, another way of thinking, producing and dressing has been taking up  more and more space in factories, catwalks and racks of stores, as well as in the awareness of consumers. **Circular fashion** sees the options of the entire production chain and prioritizes the **use of recyclable and recycled materials** in the creation of **products with a longer and more sustainable life cycle**, as proposed by the precepts of the [Circular Economy](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao).

Designers, stylists and some retail chains are already joining the movement to print the *eco-friendly* seal on their clothes and production chains. The initiatives, although insufficient, bring a little hope to the environment, which is impacted by the fashion and textile industries. 

Just to give you an idea of the problem: processes using chemicals in dyeing are responsible for **about 20% of water pollution**, according to a report by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation (2017). The sector is considered the **2nd most polluting on the planet** and, according to data from the United Nations Environment Organization, it is responsible for **8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions**, in addition to generating a large amount of waste.

![Cópia de MC_moda-circular02 ing.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Copia_de_MC_moda_circular02_ing_3edc6f02b9/Copia_de_MC_moda_circular02_ing_3edc6f02b9.png)

According to the [*Fios da Moda* 2021 report](https://loja.modefica.com.br/produto/publicacoes/fios-da-moda-perspectiva-sistemica-para-circularidade/), carried out by the Modefica Institute (@modefica) in partnership with the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), around 9 billion pieces of garments were produced in Brazil in 2018. Many of them remain in the back of closets until they are discarded. Every year, more than 4 million tons of textile waste - old clothes, scraps from the fashion industry and leather goods - end up in landfills. That is so much pollution - and waste!

![Cópia de MC_moda-circular03 ing.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Copia_de_MC_moda_circular03_ing_650ebf6590/Copia_de_MC_moda_circular03_ing_650ebf6590.png)

In circularity, “waste” does not exist. Waste becomes raw material for companies to practice *upcycling*, a process that reuses materials without loss of value or quality. The challenge, according to Mariana Amazonas, ecodesigner and co-founder of the regenerative fashion company RODA, is to achieve waste uniformity to be competitive and economically viable. The solution has been to bet on leftovers from the industry, which generates more than 30% of waste, and has a greater capacity for uniformity. "Thus, we are able to produce models and keep them in line, without having a development cost for each batch."

The environment wins, the business wins and also the consumer, who finds unique and personalized pieces, with added environmental value. Check out some circular fashion initiatives below:

### Renovar Têxtil
![renovartextil2.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/renovartextil2_262f6a6459/renovartextil2_262f6a6459.jpg)
*[https://www.instagram.com/renovartextil/](https://www.instagram.com/renovartextil/)*

Located in the east zone of São Paulo, [Renovar Têxtil](http://www.renovartextil.com.br/) is an industry that has been operating in the recycling of textile waste for 35 years. For them raw material is whatever is discarded by other industries in the spinning, weaving, carpet and clothing manufacturing chain. They are the so-called pre-consumer waste made up of leftover fabrics, threads, hems and tows.

This input, which is the result of purchases or donations from several suppliers that are committed to reverse logistics projects, undergoes a defibration process and is transformed through mechanical recycling into recycled fibers. The entire operation offers lower environmental impact, since water is not used - nor chemical products.

In one year, according to an internal balance sheet, the company processes, on average, around 1.5 million tons of textile waste classified by color and/or composition, which could end up in landfills. Back on the market, however, the new fibers increase their useful life and are sold as upholstery for pillows and plush, acoustic and thermal blankets, felts, automotive plates, etc.

In recent years, the challenge has been to increase production capacity and recycle a greater amount of textile waste to serve different segments. “For the company, recycling is very important, the soul of our business, but it is only viable when the market absorbs it in the manufacture of new products, that is, when there is demand”, explains Daniela Passatuto, manager of Renovar Têxtil.

### Roda
![JEEP_A_RODA_1225_edit.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/JEEP_A_RODA_1225_edit_a11b5b4c67/JEEP_A_RODA_1225_edit_a11b5b4c67.jpg)
*[https://www.instagram.com/vem.pra.roda/](https://www.instagram.com/vem.pra.roda/)*

Do as nature does. This is what drives [RODA](https://www.roda.eco.br/), a company from Pernambuco that recreates fashion from clothes forgotten in the closet, textile waste and even from the automotive industry. Like the collection made with Jeep, which draws attention with products such as skirts, coats, sandals, backpacks and bags made from seat belts, airbags, leather and other leftovers from car production.

Collaboration with the multinational Stellantis, owner of Jeep, which has a factory in Zero Landfill principle in Goiana, in the North Forest of Pernambuco, proves how it is possible to be sustainable and give a nobler destination to waste.

According to Mariana Amazonas, ecodesigner and co-founder of RODA, the [concept is Circular Economy](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao/industria-era-circular). “It is to think about the design of the products, also thinking about what they can become in the future.” And, when thinking about new uses, it is possible to add more value, generate income and social engagement. 

The initiative began in 2019, with a pilot regenerative design project in Caxangá, Recife, in partnership with seamstresses and community participation. At the end of 2020, motivated by the partnership with Jeep, it held a creative lab that brought together designers and artisans to rethink products. “Industrial linearity makes people lose the ability to create; and our goal is to keep creating really new things, made to last”, says Mariana.

In one year of operation, completed in November 2022, the company had the involvement of more than 50 professionals and transformed 7 tons of waste into 5 thousand products, which were created and sold. With less carbon emissions and without having to exploit new natural resources. Currently, it is conducting consultancy and closing partnerships with other industries, to launch new products and keep the wheel of sustainability turning.

### Roupa Descolada
![roupadescolada2.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/roupadescolada2_851ad2412b/roupadescolada2_851ad2412b.jpeg)
*[https://www.instagram.com/roupa_descolada/](https://www.instagram.com/roupa_descolada/)*

Before being a sustainable fashion project, [Roupa Descolada](http://www.roupadescolada.blogspot.com/) was a seed. Idea that sprouted from a teenager for a school tournament, right at the beginning of the pandemic; received support from adults to grow and become a reality; and the engagement of the entire community to multiply. This story began with Pedro and his mother, Alinye Amorim, in São José dos Campos, São Paulo.

A computer engineer by training and a Girl Scout at heart, Alinye wore - literally - the shirt to help publicize her son's action, then 12 years old. “In one year, he grew 20 cm and lost all his clothes and shoes. He imagined what it would be like if he could trade clothes with other people.” And so they did. But not alone.

After the tournament, Alinye looked for one of the enthusiastic teachers to carry out the work and, in the Pastoral da Educação of the city, they won the 1st headquarters, in the Franciscan school. It was August 2020. Since then, Roupa Descolada has become an NGO and gained two more units: one at Pedro's school, in the same year; and another in the parish, at the end of 2022. The latter is open to the general public.  

In schools, in addition to weekly exchange fairs, students participate in lectures to rethink consumption habits and the impact on the environment.  Garments without approval are customized, within the [Circular Economy](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao/economia-circular) concept. “The T-shirt will no longer live as a T-shirt, but it doesn't have to become trash. It can become raw material for an ecobag, which will last a long time, and then it can even become a mopping cloth, and even not used at all.” 

In one year of the project, more than 4,000 items were exchanged, including clothes and shoes, involving more than 700 users. With this attitude, more than 14 thousand kg of CO2  were no longer emitted into the atmosphere (equivalent to 100,000 km driven by a gasoline car) and 20 million liters of water were saved. For the next phase, since it does not have financial support, Camisa Descolada wants to offer mentorship and is seeking supporters to take the initiative to more schools and become sustainable. 

### To follow the thread
Discover more initiatives that have made a difference in circular fashion:

- [Bemglô](https://www.instagram.com/bemglo/) 
- [Circulô](https://www.instagram.com/usecirculo/) 
- [Comas](https://www.instagram.com/comas_sp/) 
- [Cotton Move](https://www.instagram.com/cotton.move/) 
- [Natural Cotton Color](https://www.instagram.com/natural_cotton_color/)
- [Projeto Ovo](https://www.instagram.com/projetoovo/) 
- [Refazenda](https://www.instagram.com/refazenda/) 
- [Repassa](https://www.instagram.com/repassabr/) 
- [Revoada](https://www.instagram.com/revoada/)  
- [Roupateca](https://www.instagram.com/roupateca/)
- [SustexModa](https://www.instagram.com/sustexmoda/)
- [Transmuta](https://www.instagram.com/transmutaoficial/)
 
**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [**Circular Academy**](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en) , the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.









Circular fashion sees the options of the entire production chain and prioritizes the use of recyclable and recycled materials in the creation of products with a longer and more sustainable life cycle

Circular Fashion is more than a trend

Have you ever thought about being acknowledged in Latin America as a great partner of the Circular Economy?
 
This is the big news of the Circular Movement for 2023.

In this year, the ***World Without Waste Award*** earns its **1st INTERNATIONAL EDITION**, recognizing the best scientific initiation projects that propose solutions for a world without waste in **Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico**.

The *Award*, which recognizes those who are already talking about and implementing the Circular Economy, now crosses the Brazilian border in search of **partnerships with the main student fairs in other countries** to carry out the regional editions.

In Brazil, [Circular Movement](https://movimentocircular.io/en) is reaching the third edition of the *Award* in partnership with **Febrace**, having evaluated a total of 795 projects in the last two awards. The “World without Waste Award 3rd edition - Brazil”, scheduled for March 24, will be the first regional initiative in the country.

The latest editions of the *Circular Challenge* - in [Brazil](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/the-power-of-education-in-the-circular-economy) and [Mexico](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/circular-movement-celebrates-2-years) - demonstrated the project's potential to expand its reach, and this year it will also cover the countries involved in the *Award*.

The dispute among the winners of each edition of the projects will reveal **the best Latin American work**! That is, awards from **basic education and academic universe** will culminate in this major international event, reinforcing our integration program with an impact on educational institutions and companies in **Latin America** (those who are already our partners, **and those interested in being part of this story**).

The announcement was made by the Circular Movement coordinator, Vinicius Saraceni, at the [1st Partners Meeting of the year](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/circular-movement-already-impacts-1-million-people-in-two-years), held online, in February. The news was first revealed to representatives of the MC ecosystem, which today is the largest open education initiative for the Circular Economy in Latin America.

“On one side, the *Challenge* **promotes** the creation of ideas for a world without waste where it all begins: in schools. On the other, the *Award* **recognizes** what has already been studied and applied to Circular Economy in the academic environment. And the meeting of these two pedagogical trajectories in an international award is one of the strategic axes of our Latin American integration program for 2023”, explains Vinícius Saraceni.

### Circular Challenge can reach an international award

The ***Challenge***, **which aims to propose and disseminate inspiring solutions for a world without waste based on the concepts of the Circular Economy**, will have regional editions in the four countries and will define the winning school teams. Each of these events, which must take place during the year, **can guarantee a place as a participant in the international award**!

In this educational process, the teachers involved will pass through a training in topics involving circularity. Students will be able to create new projects in the classroom, and all this experience is added to the school's curriculum. 
To organize these phases, the MC seeks partnerships with the schools and, mainly, with the **Education departments** for the *Challenge* agenda.

Each of these events, which must happen during the year, can guarantee a place as a participant in the international award!

### Who can participate and how?

You can be part of this new step of the Circular Movement, helping to recognize - and being recognized - as a **partner for a world without waste**! Do you want to have more information and join us to help transform the world? Get in touch with Circular Movement via email: [contato@movimentocircular.io](contato@movimentocircular.io)  

**Count on us!**

**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [**Circular Academy**](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en) , the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.


Circular Challenge and World Without Waste Award now acknowledge efforts in Latin America, expanding the integration among partners in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico 

World Without Waste Award premieres 1st International Edition

*By Silvana Guaiume, Circular Movement press office (adapted)*

**Electronic waste recycling produced in Brazil** can generate **40,000 direct jobs and at least BRL 800 million a year**, according to information obtained from data from Circular Movement and GM&C, a company that operates in the sector.  **Brazil is the fifth largest producer of electronic waste in the world and produces 2 million tons of this material per year**, according to the most recent [report](https://ewastemonitor.info/) released by the United Nations (UN) in 2019. According to the survey, only 3% of this waste is recycled.

[Circular Movement](https://movimentocircular.io/en) and [GM&C](http://www.gmclog.com.br), specialized in reverse logistics and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment, have entered into a partnership to expand the recovery of electronic waste and promote positive impacts on the environment. The joint efforts of the two organizations will provide new ideas and projects with great potential for engagement and multiplication of [circular economy](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao/economia-circular) concepts.

**Continue reading and:** 
- Understand how electronics recycling can generate jobs and financial resources
- Discover circular reverse logistics solutions for this sector

### Understanding the numbers

Among the largest producers of electronic waste in the world, Brazil is only surpassed by China, the United States, India and Japan. The pedagogical coordinator of the Circular Movement, Edson Grandisoli, explains that “the focus of recycling is to give a new destination and use of materials that traditionally end up in landfills and dumps, making them remain in circulation longer, one of the precepts of the circular economy,” he points out.

GM&C's institutional relations coordinator, Henrique Mendes, says that currently there is no official number on the total amount of electronics that are recycled annually in Brazil, but estimates show that only 3% of discarded electronics would be, in fact, recycled in the official and traceable manner. According to him, there are no exact figures for the financial return on recycling electronic waste in Brazil. 

However Mendes signals with numbers that point to this impact. GM&C alone recycled 6,000 tons of electronics last year, an operation that generated at least 140 direct jobs and another 380 indirect jobs. Taking into account that Brazil produces 2 million tons of electronic waste per year, the recycling and reuse of all this material could generate 42 thousand direct jobs and another 110 thousand indirect jobs. “It is possible to estimate the social gain that the segment can bring to the country, becoming an important sector of the economy”, says the coordinator.

![imagem 3.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/imagem_3_d3d4d0b560/imagem_3_d3d4d0b560.jpeg)
*Photo credit: GM&C*

Grandisoli recalls that 3% of electronic waste recycling in Brazil is equivalent to 60,000,000 kilos. According to different sources, each kilogram of this recycled material generates from R$ 0.40 to R$ 4.00, depending on the waste. “Therefore, recycling generates today in Brazil around R$ 24 to R$ 240 million. If all the trash were recycled, we could reach a figure of at least R$ 800 million to R$ 8 billion”, he calculates.

In addition to the social and economic gain, the correct recycling of electronics reduces negative impacts on the environment, since electronic waste includes materials such as plastic, iron, glass and metals. “By recovering these resources through recycling, we avoid the need to extract virgin raw materials from nature”, comments Mendes.

Another positive impact of the activity is related to the increase in the useful life of landfills. When this material is no longer sent to dumps to be landfilled, municipalities reduce expenses with this service and landfills have an extended useful life. “With these estimates, we can assess the magnitude of the gains that could be generated when we stop wasting all these resources and encourage the formal recycling chain of electronics”, says Mendes.

Electronics are equipment that have hundreds of different substances in their composition, some of them with potential danger, which can cause damage to health and the environment if handled incorrectly. That is why electronics recycling in Brazil needs to be based on transparency and traceability of processes.

### Gold of the garbage

According to Mendes, much has been said in recent years about the valuable materials present in electronic circuit boards, which aroused great interest in people, creating a fever of electronics recycling companies in search of easy gains and quick results with the “gold of the garbage", which is not proven in practice.

“Electronic and electronics recycling is a complex activity that involves costs so that it is done in an environmentally correct and safe way for the employees who handle the equipment”, he explains.

The GM&C coordinator holds that the activity of reverse manufacturing of electronics needs to be officially recognized with the creation of a specific National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE) code, so that companies can have an adequate environmental licensing process for the activity, ensuring environmental safety and people's health. 

“With the formalization of companies in the sector, it will be easier to identify who really acts correctly, allowing partnerships in search of incentives to enable the growth of the activity”, comments Mendes. He says that, in order to prosper, the electronics recycling segment needs to be a transparent and traceable activity. “It is a crucial point to prevent the emergence of companies that illegally dump waste that generate costs or sell parts and pieces without authorization from the manufacturer”, he claims. 

The legislation determines that the environmental responsibility of electronic material recycling companies does not end when hiring a waste manager, if there is any environmental damage, both will be jointly accountable. This also goes for electronics that have data storage. “Companies need to guarantee the destruction of data, preventing any leakage of sensitive information”, says Mendes. 

### Efficient solutions

Consumer electronics is an important player in the process of recycling this material. In addition to properly disposing of unused products, the consumer must be aware of his/her real needs and the manufacturers' proposals. “The consumer is a fundamental part of this process, researching before buying and favoring companies with legitimate socio-environmental concerns”, says Circular Movement coordinator, Edson Grandisoli. 

Valuing more durable products, looking for brands that provide good repair services and rethinking consumption are fundamental steps to build the circular economy and a better world, defends Grandisoli. 

According to the Circular Movement coordinator, in addition to the issue of product design, companies must create efficient reverse logistics solutions to increase the amount of electronic waste collected properly and so that this material has a nobler destination through reuse and of recycling.

![imagem 2.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/imagem_2_6c374d61e6/imagem_2_6c374d61e6.jpeg)
*Photo credit: GM&C*

The GM&C coordinator alleges that the company has registered constant growth in the consumer electronics industry's concern with the topic of Circular Economy. “We have several clients that already have projects in this area, helping consumers to better use their products, so that they last longer, in addition to investing in reverse logistics, allowing that at the end of the useful life of the products, they are returned in proper sites to be collected and sent for recycling”, he claims.

The company also helps clients design projects that allow the use of recycled raw materials, including the issue of circularity right from the product creation stage.

**About Circular Movement**

Created in 2020, the [Circular Movement](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao)   is the largest open education initiative for the Circular Economy in Latin America and a reference in the matter for the world. It brings together people and organizations committed to the transition from a linear to a circular economy through education and culture. Our collective mission is to disseminate knowledge about the Circular Economy, encouraging the sustainable development of new processes, products and attitudes for a world without waste.

Follow us on Instagram:
- [@_movimentocircular (PT/BR)](https://instagram.com/_movimentocircular?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
- [@_movimientocircular (ESP)](https://instagram.com/_movimientocircular?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) 

**About GM&C**

Company specialized in reverse logistics and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment, valuing waste by recovering resources efficiently and safely. Located in São José dos Campos, with more than 20 years’ experience, [GM&C](http://www.gmclog.com.br)  is an organization by excellence, with solid know-how and fully certified, which invests in the most advanced technologies, innovative processes and robust online management, to help companies reduce its logistical costs, waste, environmental impact and, at the same time, comply with current legislation. It features a pioneering online system to control all stages of reverse logistics, ensuring transparency, traceability and mass balance, assuring an environmentally appropriate final destination.

- Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gmcreciclagem/](https://instagram.com/gmcreciclagem?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)  
- Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/gmcreciclagem](https://www.facebook.com/gmcreciclagem/) 


Data from Circular Movement and GM&C point out that recycling electronics is a profitable business if done correctly, and can generate BRL 800 million a year

Electronic waste recycling can generate 40,000 jobs in Brazil

An incredible achievement! In just over 2 years of operation, the Circular Movement reaches **1 MILLION PEOPLE REACHED** in different actions for different audiences.

These were educational projects, editorial releases, communication campaigns, participation in events and insertions in the media, in addition to user interaction with the free educational content on our platform, community on Instagram and enrollments with the Circular Academy.

More than a number, this positive impact shows the strength that Circular Movement has as a multisectoral initiative, promoting circularity. “This event gives us the impetus to show that we are generating and, at the same time, expanding the impact [on the circular economy], involving more and more partners”, celebrates the project coordinator, Vinicius Saraceni.

### Our numbers from 2020
![MC_1milhao_02 in.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_1milhao_02_in_5392292e23/MC_1milhao_02_in_5392292e23.png)

### More promotion and recognition of circular actions
And speaking of our partners, this Wednesday (15th), we held the first meeting of the year with members of the Circular Movement ecosystem operating in Brazil.

Leading the online meeting, our coordinator, Vinicius Saraceni, reviewed the MC's achievements so far and presented the activation proposal for 2023, highlighting the search for **promoting and recognizing actions for circularity in an even more comprehensive program of Latin American integration**.

We also welcome newcomers - **Compahia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (Sabesp), Circular Plastics in the Americas Program (CPAP), EcoAssist, GM&C and Gtech Environmental Solutions** - reinforcing the goal of working more and more together to expand our impact.

The next meeting, with partners at the forefront of initiatives in Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, is scheduled for March 1, also in the online format, and will be conducted by the Circular Movement's educational ambassador, Marisol de Toro Orozco.

![WhatsApp Image 2023-02-15 at 11.56.10.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Whats_App_Image_2023_02_15_at_11_56_10_468e569953/Whats_App_Image_2023_02_15_at_11_56_10_468e569953.jpeg)
*First meeting with partners from Brazil held this year (02/15/23)*

Follow updates on the Circular Movement [website](https://movimentocircular.io/en) and on our social media.

- [@_movimentocircular (PT/BR)](https://instagram.com/_movimentocircular?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) 
- [@_movimientocircular (ESP)](https://instagram.com/_movimientocircular?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
 
Let's go together for a world without trash!

**About Circular Movement**

Created in 2020, the [Circular Movement](https://movimentocircular.io/en) is the largest open education initiative for the Circular Economy in Latin America and a reference in the matter for the world. It brings together people and organizations committed to the transition from a linear to a circular economy through education and culture. Our collective mission is to disseminate knowledge about the Circular Economy, encouraging the sustainable development of new processes, products, and attitudes for a world without waste.

**What is Circular Economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. That is, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - extract, produce, use and discard - which has proven increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation for longer through reuse, until nothing becomes trash! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relationships.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, access the [Circular Academy](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en), the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at the general public. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.


Such figures reinforce how the joint action of all sectors of society drives education for the Circular Economy

Circular Movement reaches 1 million people!

After two timid and reclusive years, Carnival is once again showing its face across the country. It involves four, in some cities five or more, days of music, dancing and joy. The party is superlative from start to finish. When it comes to the end, a large army of people and machines steps in to clean up the city. In 2020, it had **3,500 tons of garbage** collected in five Brazilian capitals.

Very little of this waste produced in Salvador, Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, Recife and Rio de Janeiro was destined for recycling. Most went to landfills or ended up deposited in nature. Data from the Urban Solid Waste Management Diagnosis in Brazil indicate that **only 4% of solid waste is recycled in the country**. To change this scenario, it is necessary to practice the mantra: rethink, reduce and recycle. Throwing trash in the trash also helps a lot.

The practice of the three “Rs”, associated with the circular economy, is the main ally of sustainable Carnival, explains the pedagogical coordinator of the Circular Movement, Edson Grandisoli. “**R**ethink consumption and buy what really makes sense for fun. **R**educe the consumption of single-use utensils, such as plastic cups. **R**ecycle, disposing of waste correctly. The three r’s make the revelry even more beautiful”, he says. 

The mission belongs to everyone. Grandisoli points out that event organizers, whether public or private, need to ensure adequate structure for the collection and correct disposal of waste produced. Samba schools must use materials in quantity and quality that can, in their entirety, be reused or recycled after the end of the festivities. “That is, to adopt a policy of *zero waste* (trash), as is already being done by some associations”, he comments.

The carnival blocks are responsible for not throwing trash in the streets, preferring reusable utensils and avoiding costumes that could harm the environment. Most of the waste generated at Carnival is plastic, glass, and paper. “If they are not collected selectively, these materials tend to end up in sanitary landfills and dumps, and even being left on the streets can collaborate with flash floods”, recalls Grandisoli.

It is possible to rethink the entire party, including replacing glitter, sparkles and sequins with ecologically correct materials. Even paper confetti can be replaced with dry leaf confetti, which are more environmentally friendly. 

“All material discarded incorrectly ends up causing problems for the environment, harming water, soil, atmosphere, and different forms of life. The ideal, within the perspective of the circular economy, is that the waste is not even produced, which is why reducing consumption is so central to this proposal”, explains Grandisoli. The goal of the Carnival of the future, and of the circular economy, is not to generate any waste. 

Reaching this point requires immediate attention and emergency measures. “The main tip for starting this project right now is for everyone to take responsibility for their own waste. Cups, costumes, cigarette butts, plastic ornaments, practically everything, after all, can be given a nobler destination than dumps or landfills. That is the challenge”, says Grandisoli.

*﻿﻿Photo: Archive/Alice Mafra/Olinda City Hall*

**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [**Circular Academy**](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en) , the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.

Circular Movement pedagogical coordinator, Edson Grandisoli explains that the practice of the three “Rs” is a great ally for a sustainable party

Carnival leaves 3,500 tons of trash on the streets of five capitals

*By Julliana de Melo, special reporter for the Circular Movement*


When we talk about the environment, the tons of waste that we produce every day in the world soon appear as villains, since part of it is disposed of in nature without any care. However, the organic materials found in the sewerage networks and the sanitary landfills are already seen today as important alternatives for obtaining cleaner energy. We are now talking about biogas and its more refined derivative, biomethane.


At the same time, these alternative sources have the potential to meet part of the energy demand in lieu of fossil fuels and to promote better management of organic waste in landfills and sewage treatment plants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and joining other fronts in tackling the global climate crisis. Urgent topic of nowadays.


According to professor and researcher Edson Grandisoli, pedagogical coordinator of the Circular Movement, the production of biogas and biomethane in sanitation is resonant with some fundamental precepts of the circular economy, which is to decarbonize the economy and search for new ways to reuse waste to the maximum. "What would be trash or sewage is going to generate energy. And since we take advantage of it, we stop producing waste at the end of this chain."


### "Promising Biogas Segments”

![MC_Biogas_01 In.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_Biogas_01_In_2c4f0f8ac8/MC_Biogas_01_In_2c4f0f8ac8.png)

In Franca, São Paulo, the only place that purifies sewage biogas for biomethane production in Brazil has been in operation since 2018. The biogas treatment system is being carried out by Sabesp, the State of São Paulo Basic Sanitation Company, starting from digestion by bacteria of the sludge produced in the treatment of sewage.


"When producing biomethane, we put methane to an interesting end use, as it was going to come out of the sewage treatment anyway. When thrown into the atmosphere, it has a great impact on climate changes, which reduces by a 21-fold when it is burned in cars as biofuel", points out Cristina Zuffo, Sabesp's superintendent of Research, Technological Development and Innovation.


The Franca Sewage Treatment Plant (ETE) currently treats 530 liters/second of sewage and produces around 3,000 m³/day of biogas. The internationally awarded experience feeds with biomethane the station’s entire fleet of vehicles. An average of 180 supplies per month, in 40 vehicles adapted to the GNV standard. This volume, in spite of still being below production capacity, now represents savings of R$ 446,000 with the reduction of the company's consumption of ethanol, which is responsible for about 30% of the investment in basic sanitation made in the country.


According to Cristina Zuffo, biogas is only one of the possible applications of waste in SETs, within the concept of a circular economy adopted by Sabesp, which is still analyzing a way of preventing tons of sludge from ending up in landfills. "We need to have a systemic view of the plant and to think about solutions to make it run with the minimum of resources and waste possible, avoiding any kind of waste. And these solutions are not always replicable to all stations."


Biogas itself can have different uses, whether as a source of electrical energy, thermal energy, biomethane or biofertilizers. "And each end use of biogas calls for a different degree of purification. If it is to be used only for burning in a boiler, for example, I reduce moisture to obtain a greater energy value. Now, if I am going to use it to inject in the gas network, which goes to people's homes, or in cars, then a great purification is already needed", Zuffo explains.


### Biogas and Biomethane

![MC_Biogas_02 in.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_Biogas_02_in_775c463c56/MC_Biogas_02_in_775c463c56.png)


The market for biogas from basic sanitation already exists and is promising in Brazil, even though it runs into a non-universal and deficit network, besides few public incentives and inefficient regulation for the sector's faster development. "The priority of the sanitation companies is still to guarantee water and sewage. So, first you have to universalize the water, capture the sewage and take it to the treatment stations, have this basic infrastructure, and only then manage to capture the biogas", Zuffo points out.


If the potential is great, the challenge is even greater.  Today, about 50% of the volume of sewage in Brazil does not receive adequate treatment, the equivalent of more than 5,300 in natura Olympic sewage pools being poured into the wild per day, according to data from the Treat Brazil Institute. When we talk about waste, the scenario is not very different. Of the 81.8 million tons of solid waste generated annually in the country, only 50 million tons are properly treated in landfills.

![ORIZON_ATERRO.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/ORIZON_ATERRO_36978e5421/ORIZON_ATERRO_36978e5421.jpg)

Ecoparque da Orizon, in the city of Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro — Photo: Disclosure

Present in nine states of the country, Orizon Waste Recovery (ORVR3) is responsible for the management of 10 million tons of Urban Solid Waste (MSW) per year. In all, of the 14 ecoparks, five produce biogas, generated naturally from the decomposition of trash, and one already markets biomethane. "We could have stayed still, burying the rubbish for the next generations, but we saw that we could have done something more and transformed this waste into a great business opportunity", says the director of engineering and implantation of Orizon, Jorge Rogério Elias.


He explains that every landfill has a logical principle of physical stability that allows the extraction of biogas. As the landfill rises in several layers, it is possible to extract and treat the slurry, extract and treat the biogas. "Except that instead of this biogas only being burned to have a low impact on the environment, transforming methane into CO2, we can take it and generate electricity and do something useful for society.''

![ORIZON_GERADOR.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/ORIZON_GERADOR_e6f434bd41/ORIZON_GERADOR_e6f434bd41.jpg)

Biogas catchment flares in Paulínia, São Paulo inner-state area — Photo: Disclosure

To fully exploit this energy potential, the company has invested heavily in research, intelligence and skills since 2013 and recently created BioE, a company that will take over all stages of the production chain, responsible for the purchase and processing of biogas in ecoparks for transformation into renewable energy and biomethane. The asset today is 100 installed megawatts. According to Jorge Elias, this energy is generated close to the consumption center on a regular basis. It does not depend on the sun, on wind, on rain; and, besides predictability, it also reduces the levels of loss in the electrical system. 


Biogas is not the miracle source that will solve the world's energy issue. That’s a Fact. But in the global decarbonization wave, it has a relevant potential that cannot and should not be wasted. According to Biogas, if all the waste produced by farming and sanitation had the use of energy, the generation of biogas could supply 35% of the demand for electricity, and biomethane, 70% of Brazil's diesel oil consumption. However, it is important to point out that within the requirements of the Circular Economy, the ideal is not to generate waste or even that this material needs to be disposed of in landfills.

![MC_Biogas_03 in.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_Biogas_03_in_7b61a18200/MC_Biogas_03_in_7b61a18200.png)
![MC_Biogas_04 in.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_Biogas_04_in_5eee5c8c50/MC_Biogas_04_in_5eee5c8c50.png)

**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [**Circular Academy**](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en) , the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.


Learn about the potential of these alternative sources for cleaner energy generation and better management of organic waste in landfills and sewage treatment plants

 Biogas and Biomethane: The link between brazilian sanitation and energy gain

The **World Environmental Education Day** celebrates a milestone in the debate on the transformation power of **education** to lessen the impact of human activity on the environment.

We are talking about the creation of *International Environmental Education Program*, the result of a meeting held by Unesco in 1975, known as the 'Belgrade Meeting'.

This meeting brought about and established the **celebration date** (January 26) and a series of discussions, which little by little made clearer the political, cultural, social and **economical** of environmental education.   

> “In this direction, rethinking the dominant economic model, [the linear one], highly impactful for the environment and for people, is regarded as fundamental in this transformation, inspiring a more **circular model of economy**”, adds our pedagogical coordinator, Prof. Dr. Edson Grandisoli.

Shall we find out more about this?

### Environmental Education and Circularity: How to understand this relationship?

Both environmental education and the [Circular Economy](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao) seek to understand human activities and propose solutions to the impacts of our relationship with the environment, including all actors in society.

But this happens on different levels:

Environmental education is on a broader level. Can move in many different ways that are **interdisciplinary and transversal**.

Ideas and actions based on circularity, on the other hand, occur at a specific level that generally includes the [**goods production companies and consumer behavior**] in the current economic model, the linear one (extraction-production-disposal). Thus, it promotes an [**education for circularity**](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao/industria-era-circular), which also needs to be connected to sociocultural and political dimensions.

Despite this, according to Grandisoli, the participation of companies in the discussion is still restricted.

> “Environmental education has been seen more as linked to schools, to teaching. We deal with education for circularity to bring companies closer to the discussion. It is an excellent model, because it makes other sectors responsible”, says the professor.

### Responsibility: An Old Challenge

Discussions on the concept of environmental education and circularity have been going on for over **six decades**. Agreements, legislation, documents and actions were being produced throughout all this time, but, according to Grandisoli, the **dialogue between different sectors of society** has still not grown enough.

> “The actors propose their solutions, put them into practice and everything is always very segmented and fragmented. I think that a fundamental point that the Circular Economy brings is precisely that we start to think about solutions in a more integrated way. Since the problem is systemic, we must think of systemic solutions”, comments the professor.

*The Environmental Education Treaty for Sustainable Societies and Global Responsibility* of Eco-92 (UN, 1992) has among its principles that:

> “The responsibility for preserving natural resources indicated by the Treaty is global. That is, society, government officials, educators, scientists and businessmen must follow and comply with environmental standards”.

That is, it is in this direction that we have to follow and, as a reference, we can mirror ourselves in actions that nourish everyone's co-responsibility and participation. How:

**Circle Challenge…**

![DesafioCircular-vencedores (1).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Desafio_Circular_vencedores_1_cf908db729/Desafio_Circular_vencedores_1_cf908db729.png)

The winners of the last edition of this [Circular Movement project](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/the-power-of-education-in-the-circular-economy) managed to integrate school, community and companies in a project to finance pedagogical excursions, through the sale of used oil for recycling.

**...Circular Lab Talks…**

![Circular Labs Talks 1.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Circular_Labs_Talks_1_c153638626/Circular_Labs_Talks_1_c153638626.jpg)

Also, an [initiative by *Movimento Circular*](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/2022-circular-movement-) retrospective with our partners at Earth & Life University and Lealtad Verde, brought together the academic world and Mexican leaders in the plastics industry at conferences to talk about innovations in waste management and discuss new strategies for community involvement.

**... and look at this initiative by a public school student in Ceará**

![IrrigaPET.PNG](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Irriga_PET_83fd1482c2/Irriga_PET_83fd1482c2.png)

Realizing the difficulty faced by farmers in the rural area of Granja, in the interior of Ceará, during periods of drought, high school student Francisco Nycollas Machado Guarinho [created an irrigation system using PET bottles](https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhpLokpudT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) .

A project inspired by the school, attentive to the needs of the community and the reuse of waste so that it does not turn into garbage or is disposed of incorrectly.

(See actions taken by our partners on the [Map of Initiatives](https://movimentocircular.io/en/iniciativas) on our platform)

***
On this World Environmental Education Day, there is a reflection on how we should still have a holistic view of our multiple relationships with the environment.

> "It is fundamental to create more democratic instances of dialogue that guarantee a voice to different actors in society so that together we can seek solutions to challenges that, in fact, are common”, concludes Professor Grandisoli.

**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [**Circular Academy**](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en), the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.










Let's get to know the origin, the relationship with the Circular Economy and examples of how it can bring benefits to the environment and people

World Enviromental Education Day

It's time to celebrate what we've achieved together so far!

We reached the mark of more than 930 thousand people impacted by Circular Movement, 60 actions performed and 52 partners from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia! 
See the highlights of the year in this top 10 that we set up: 

### 1. Expansion of Circular Academy
Our first open school of Circular Economy in Latin America reached more than 1.8 thousand subscribers and expanded its reach through customized editions for partners and collaborators, such as Valgroup, BrasAlpla, Soft Film and Fiap. 

### 2. Award for a world without waste with Febrace
![IIPremioPorUmMundoSemLixoParceriaFebraceSP-abril22.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/II_Premio_Por_Um_Mundo_Sem_Lixo_Parceria_Febrace_SP_abril22_453f59586b/II_Premio_Por_Um_Mundo_Sem_Lixo_Parceria_Febrace_SP_abril22_453f59586b.jpeg)

We awarded the four best finalist scientific initiation works of the Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (Febrace), which dialogued with the topic of Circularity. The 1st place went to the student Victórya Leal Altmayer Silva, from IFRS - Campus Osório (RS), with the project em: [Eco-socius: the behavior of young people from the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul in the circular economy](https://virtual.febrace.org.br/2022/SOC/284/).

### 3. Circular Economy Week in São Paulo
![Semana de Economia Circular.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Semana_de_Economia_Circular_9ad80536df/Semana_de_Economia_Circular_9ad80536df.jpg)

In May, we participated in the 1st Circular Economy Week in São Paulo, in the panels "[Education and Circular Economy](https://youtu.be/ZsfZICoB_OU?t=1049)" and "[The Importance of Innovation for the Circular Economy"](https://youtu.be/o1Gkw5mp5yM). Initiative promoted by the City of São Paulo together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) and the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI).

### 4. Movement in the National Geographic!
![MC na National Geographic Brasil (1).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_na_National_Geographic_Brasil_1_d26de10e64/MC_na_National_Geographic_Brasil_1_d26de10e64.png)

We expand our educational potential through the press, adding 550 inserts, including interviews, reports and articles by our spokespersons for radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, channels and podcasts. 
Highlight for the National Geographic, who [interviewed](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/circular-movement-in-national-geographic) our pedagogical coordinator, Prof. Dr. Edson Grandisoli, along with the director of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luisa Santiago.

### 5. Greater digital reach 
Our new Instagram profiles have already reached more than 214 thousand people on the network, with profiles in [Portuguese](https://www.instagram.com/_movimentocircular/) and in [Spanish](https://www.instagram.com/_movimientocircular/). And our platform, which is up to date, with new features and faster loading, has reached more than 250 thousand hits.

### 6. Partner Meetings 
![Circular Experience.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Circular_Experience_11da911a33/Circular_Experience_11da911a33.jpg)

In August, we held the first : [Circular Experience](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/2nd-meeting-of-circular-movement-partners) A face-to-face meeting, in São Paulo, with more than 70 people, including partners and guests, in a hands-on prototyping activity, at Coopercaps headquarters, understanding how the recycling chain works. 

### 7. Muti's first book!
![Livro MUTI.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Livro_MUTI_e0821ae0dd/Livro_MUTI_e0821ae0dd.png)

In October, we launched our first publication dedicated to children and youth: the book "[The Fabulous Journey of Muti and the Libelautas](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/the-fabulous-journey-of-muti-and-the-libelautas). In 2023 we will have other news about the book. Stay tuned!

### 8. Circular Challenge São Paulo 2022
![Desafio Circular SP22-RecycleWays.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Desafio_Circular_SP_22_Recycle_Ways_6e3622a3e8/Desafio_Circular_SP_22_Recycle_Ways_6e3622a3e8.png)

The Circular Challenge reached its 4th edition. In partnership with Dow and Coopercaps and support from Centro Paula Souza (CPS) and the Government of São Paulo, we connected the circular agenda to the curriculum of 9th graders and high school students. Of the 5 finalists, the project “[RecycleWays](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias/the-power-of-education-in-the-circular-economy)” took 1st place. 

### 9. Muti at Airports
The Circular Movement messenger was present at the main airports in Brazil. Check out its [awareness message](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ckf_yOep-4f/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) about the correct disposal of waste that circulated through São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Recife! 

### 10. Actions through Latin America!
![Encontros LATAM.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Encontros_LATAM_ea5a81310d/Encontros_LATAM_ea5a81310d.png)

We participated in several actions, lectures and events on the circular economy with our partners in Latin American countries. Represented by our education ambassador, Marisol del Toro Orozco. Among the most recent, the Circular Labs Talks it's the 2nd Circular Economy Symposium in Mexico, carried out in partnership with the Earth & Life University, about the challenges in implementing the Circular Economy.

You have read all of this and want to know more about what we do? You can visit the [news area ](https://movimentocircular.io/en/noticias)of our platform and follow our pages on Instagram in [Portuguese](https://www.instagram.com/_movimentocircular/) and [Spanish](https://www.instagram.com/_movimientocircular/).

You can also subscribe to our [newsletter](https://movimentocircular.io/en#newsletter) to always stay on top of our content and practical tips on how to build a world without waste!

And of course, we can't say goodbye to 2022 without thanking you for following us. 

**Let's go together for a **2023** even more circular? Happy Holidays!**

Check out the main actions we carried out this year, with partners in Brazil and Latin America 

2022 Circular Movement Retrospective

A Circular Economy initiative that takes students on educational trips with half the costs guaranteed by the sale of recyclable materials. This is the RecycleWays, a project by students at the Francisco Morato State Technical School (Etec), in Greater São Paulo, which was the winner of the São Paulo Circular Challenge 2022.

Since 2015 the RecycleWays mobilizes students, teachers and the community to recycle waste such as cooking oil, metal, plastic and electronic waste. Experience that was told by the group in the [video](https://youtu.be/q3MF73VwRfo) that won the top prize of the Challenge.

The project was chosen after nearly three months of the Circular Challenge initiative; event organized by Movimento Circular, in partnership with Dow and Coopercaps, with support from Centro Paula Souza and the government of São Paulo, to connect the circular agenda to schools in the state.

Come and learn about this winning initiative’s story!

<h3> From Francisco Morato (SP) to the world</h3>

It all started in 2015, when the school noticed the difficulty of many students of the business administration course to pay for a technical visit to the Port of Santos, part of the logistics discipline program.

The sustainability approach of this discipline generated the first insight to solve the problem: to raise funds through reverse logistics. This is what the RecycleWays advisor, Wagner Vieira, course coordinator, tells us.

“After brainstorming, we decided to revisit the purpose of the trip with payment being made with the sale of used cooking oil. So, we drew up a project in which this waste would be collected and sold, and the proceeds of this process would pay for the trip”.

![RecycleWays-viagem.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/Recycle_Ways_viagem_a52add611b/Recycle_Ways_viagem_a52add611b.jpeg)

Francisco Morato's community embraced the cause. Residents donated waste and companies bought recyclables. Thus, the project grew and over 500 students were able to visit other sites and learn about the professional practice of waste recycling.

The year 2019, for example, was a milestone. That's when the Circular Economy initiative was named RecycleWays and took 42 students and seven teachers to Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Argentina and Paraguay. More than half of the costs were paid by selling recyclables. “The students worked hard for six months (...). It was the most daring experience in my professional career”, recalls Vieira.

Earlier this month, a delegation of 54 people, including students and educators took another trip to both countries by. This year alone, the project raised R$67,000 - R$35,000 of which came from the sale of recycled materials.

According to the students, this year RecycleWays gained version 2.0, which includes a new and larger space for the selection and sorting of recyclable materials and a greater number of materials. For them, the project goal has been achieved; Participants leave the experience transformed and ready to transform the world through the Circular Economy.

“Students at RecycleWays do exactly what is at the heart of the proposal that the Circular Movement wants to take to the world, which is to educate about the Circular Economy in order to transform reality. They show how education for the Circular Economy can bring about significant transformations, when the entire community is engaged”, says Vinicius Saraceni, Circular Movement coordinator.

<h3> And how about now with the awards?</h3>

The RecycleWays group will receive mentorship to improve the idea, visit Dow's Pack Studios (innovation and technology center), in Jundiaí (SP) and will have their material transformed into a video case, published on all Circular Movement channels. Inspiration to spare and more publicity to make this idea win the world!

<h3> Circular Movement and the planet thank you</h3>

We were very happy with the participation of all at the Circular Challenge São Paulo 2022, not only for being part of another chapter in this project, but also for how dedicated they were to developing super creative ideas for a world without waste.

Discover the other finalist projects in the Challenge (click on the links to learn more):

[Collect ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/bYfBk6DpJeTyoYf99)+, a team from Etec Jorge Street, in São Caetano do Sul, guided by teacher Ademir Joaquim Telles. (2nd place).

[From Trash to Shelf](https://youtu.be/2xIAWNspRB4) (3rd place), [Sustainable Cycle](https://youtu.be/Pf8_hbX2O44) (4th place) and [Friendly Paper](https://youtube.com/watch?v=gIERdPGe-j8&feature=share) (5th place). All from Etec Professor Jadyr Salles, from Porto Ferreira, guided by Teacher Maria Salete Zufelato Vencel.


**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [Circular Academy](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en), the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.

 The power of education in the Circular Economy

The impact of Circular Economy through education and culture within a local context is capable of transforming the community. And the best thing is to see this transformation happen in partnership, like the one we signed in 2022 with the Francesco Zomer Institute (IFZ).

The social branch of FCO Group, a packaging solution company, has been carrying out free sociocultural work for over 15 years in the city of Orleans (SC), where the company's headquarters are located.

*"It is an institution that offers its community the teaching of music, dance and professional education; a work developed in a serious manner for the local community"*, describes the coordinator of the Circular Movement, Vinicius Saraceni.

It was through it that, in Orleans - and afterwards in the neighboring Lauro Muller community -, that ideas and projects for sustainability were born and put into practice starting from the [pedagogical contents of the Circular Movement](https://movimentocircular.io/en/educacao ) and from the involvement of the Institute with the local community, having as a starting point, besides the institute itself, the city’s schools.

Are we going to find out more about the fruits of this partnership?

<h3> From classrooms to the community</h3>

The first step taken by the Francesco Zomer Institute was to plan a front for information activities at the school units in Orleans.

In meetings with directors and teachers, the Institute's team presented the educational platform of the Circular Movement, showing how to access and explore the content.

From then on, the teaching staff was ready to work in the classroom. The director and treasurer of the IFZ, Marcelo Lole, offers more details of this dynamic:

"Students begin by learning the basic concepts of the Circular Economy through the educational content in the Movement platform. Afterwards, spaces are created for reflection, discussion and the creation of project proposals, bringing together the entire school community. And so, with the supervision of the Institute, the projects can go into practice in the day to day life of the city".

Have a look at what is already working with the project in this partnership with the IFZ in schools:

- At the Costa Carneiro School of Basic Education, students collect plastic caps that are sold to a recycling company. The funds are donated to an NGO that supports the city’s abandoned animals.

- The Unibave School has the "Ecos" project that collects plastic caps and can seals for the purchase of wheelchairs. 

- Samuel Sandrini School of Basic Education has created a project for the reuse of recyclable materials developed by teachers and pupils in elementary education.

- In addition to carrying out a recycling and composting project, Ser Educação Infantil School promotes the awareness of local public authorities for the enactment of public policies aligned with the selective collection of waste. 

- And the *Lauro Pacheco dos Reis School of Basic Education* carries out activities related to recycling, such as the separation of dry and organic waste in the school and neighborhood trash bins where it is located.

Pretty cool, huh? *"These school units are currently impacting more than 1,300 people through their sustainable actions, helping to make the Circular Economy increasingly present in the daily lives of families as well*", Lole tells us.

<h3> Movement also in Lauro Muller´s Schools</h3>

![MC_IFZ.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/movimento_circular/Strapi/MC_IFZ_7cf98f3b26/MC_IFZ_7cf98f3b26.jpg)

The Francesco Zomer Institute also managed to expand Orleans' project to the schools of Lauro Muller, a nearby town.

In September, the partnership between the Movement and the IFZ with the schools of Lauro Muller was formalized in the city hall of the municipality, with the participation of directors and the team of the Education Board. There was an online lecture by the pedagogical coordinator of the Circular Movement, Professor Dr. Edson Grandisoli and the teachers were able to know, discuss and reflect on Circular Economy and the contents of the Movement platform.

"*The partnership signed between the institute and the schools in the municipality of Lauro Müller with the Circular Movement will expand and strengthen a network of action and cooperation in the transformation of the linear economy into circular economy, or that is to say, a sustainable format*'', believes Marcelo Lole.

<h3> Art for circularity</h3>

Besides the action with the schools, within the IFZ, the pedagogical team is looking to bring the content of the Circular Movement also to the day-to-day of the music, dance and professional training courses that have already been offered to more than 6,000 students, since its foundation in 2007.

Art and circularity have everything to do with it. That's what Lole believes. "Art provides the capacity to appreciate the beautiful, and to do good, this justifies the connection of our projects with the Circular Economy that dialogs with all ludically educational spheres", the institute's treasurer justifies.

**What is the circular economy?**

The Circular Economy proposes a new look at our way of producing, consuming, and disposing, in order to optimize the planet's resources and generate less and less waste. In other words, an alternative model to the Linear Economy - to extract, produce, use and discard - which has proved to be increasingly unsustainable throughout history. In the Circular Economy, the goal is to keep materials in circulation longer by reusing them until nothing becomes waste! For this model to become a reality, we all have a role to play. It is a true collaborative circle, which feeds itself, and helps to regenerate the planet and our relations.

**Learn about Circular Economy**

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, visit [Circular Academy](https://academy.movimentocircular.io/?lang=en), the first free Latin American course on circular economy aimed at general audiences. All of us, in partnership and collaboration, can make a difference in building a more circular planet.

Partnership with Orleans institution (SC) promotes Circular Economy practices in the city through school

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